Protest at cuts to Lurgan library today

Carmel Robinson

A protest is to be held outside Lurgan Library today over proposed cuts to the opening hours.

Over recent years the number of hours the library is open has been significantly reduced.

And there are further proposals to chop a further five hours from the service.

The protest is at 1pm and is part of a day of action across Northern Ireland called by the Hands Off Our Libraries Campaign.

Lurgan and thirteen other branches are threatened with having their opening hours reduced by up to five hours per week.

Organiser Emma Hutchinson said: “This is only the latest round of cuts to our libraries as a result of Stormont austerity. These community hubs provide vital resources, especially for some of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. If we don’t resist this attack, more will come down the line. Our libraries will be run down to the point that they are no longer viable. We must defend public, free access to information and culture.”

“The day of action is aimed at raising awareness and mobilising the near unanimous public opposition to these cuts. The politicians tell us there is no money for libraries and other public services, yet they plan to give big business another huge handout at taxpayers’ expense in the form of a corporation tax cut. We demand they prioritise community services over profit. This is just the start of the campaign.”